---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it…"
description: "\"Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it was another reminder of how far we are from the amity between opposing sides that is needed for effective govern..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg"
---

#  Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it was another…

![“Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it was another reminder of how far we are from the amity between opposing sides that is needed for effective governance.” quote by John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg)

> “Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it was another reminder of how far we are from the amity between opposing sides that is needed for effective governance.”

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote laments the growing polarization that hinders cooperative governance.

**In simple terms:** Political division hurts effective government.

Key Takeaway

Seek common ground despite differences.

Themes

politics governance polarization dialogue cooperation

Mood

concerned reflective

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

- legislative negotiations
- community meetings
- bipartisan initiatives

Key Concepts

civic engagement conflict resolution public trust

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we rebuild trust across party lines?
- What incentives could encourage collaboration?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook structural incentives that reward partisanship.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Amity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amity/) [Dinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinner/) [Governance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governance/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Worst things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-things/)

## Related quotes

> [Best thing about Al Smith dinner: Cardinal Dolan got the candidates together for a brief prayer before going out on the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/best-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-cardinal-dolan-got-the-candidates/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [War's a profanity because, let's face it, you've got two opposing sides trying to settle their differences by killing as many of each other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-schwarzkopf/war-s-a-profanity-because-let-s-face-it-you-ve-got-two-opposing-sides/)

[Norman Schwarzkopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-schwarzkopf/)

> [It's not a fun process. There is no need for the team and a player to be on opposing sides a week or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/it-s-not-a-fun-process-there-is-no-need-for-the-team-and-a-player-to/)

[Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/)

> [When two opposing sides meet in battle, the one without an enemy will be victorious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-two-opposing-sides-meet-in-battle-the-one-without-an-enemy-will/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Capitalism needs to function like a game of tug-of-war. Two opposing sides need to continually struggle for dominance, but at no time can either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-holiday/capitalism-needs-to-function-like-a-game-of-tug-of-war-two-opposing/)

Pete Holiday

> [“One thing that became very clear during my own war service is that those who are actively taking part in war-like activities very seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-kramer/one-thing-that-became-very-clear-during-my-own-war-service-is-that/)

[Michael G. Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-kramer/)

> [“The black devil and the blue devil: that was how he’d come to think of the two opposing sides of his nature. Since his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-callaway/the-black-devil-and-the-blue-devil-that-was-how-he-d-come-to-think-of/)

[Grace Callaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-callaway/)

> [My message to you is: build up physical strength not for aggression, not for militarism, but for becoming fighting fit, all your life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali-jinnah/my-message-to-you-is-build-up-physical-strength-not-for-aggression/)

[Muhammad Ali Jinnah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali-jinnah/)

> [“When I ache to live, my mind loves to stay with the peaceful whiteness of a pigeon’s care...in boundless amity..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/when-i-ache-to-live-my-mind-loves-to-stay-with-the-peaceful-whiteness/)

[Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/)

> [A good marriage (if any there be) refuses the conditions of love and endeavors to present those of amity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/a-good-marriage-if-any-there-be-refuses-the-conditions-of-love-and/)

[Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/)

> [My horses understand me tolerably well; I converse with them at least four hours every day. They are strangers to bridle or saddle; they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/my-horses-understand-me-tolerably-well-i-converse-with-them-at-least/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [We Protestants ought to humbly confess that the theater and the sports have done more for race amity, for race understanding than, on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/we-protestants-ought-to-humbly-confess-that-the-theater-and-the/)

[Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/)

> [Welcome to the Amity compound," Johanna's eyes fix on my face, and she smiles crookedly. "Let us take care of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/welcome-to-the-amity-compound-johanna-s-eyes-fix-on-my-face-and-she/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [“Here's what I think. We all want someone to build a fort with. We want somebody to swap crayons with and play hide-and-seek with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/here-s-what-i-think-we-all-want-someone-to-build-a-fort-with-we-want/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

## More by John I. Jenkins

> [We are called to serve the common good by engaging with political and other institutions, even in our pluralistic society. We bring to that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/we-are-called-to-serve-the-common-good-by-engaging-with-political-and/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [Though the archbishop may rightly argue that they are objectively wrong in their positions, I don't understand how he can presume to know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/though-the-archbishop-may-rightly-argue-that-they-are-objectively/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [Best thing about Al Smith dinner: Cardinal Dolan got the candidates together for a brief prayer before going out on the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/best-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-cardinal-dolan-got-the-candidates/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [I have reflected a great deal on that event, and continue to do so. I cannot give you a complete answer in a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/i-have-reflected-a-great-deal-on-that-event-and-continue-to-do-so-i/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [Pope Francis has taught us by his example how we can witness with our lives and actions to our faith and moral principles, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/pope-francis-has-taught-us-by-his-example-how-we-can-witness-with-our/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [ \[Pope Francis\] has done this not through angry speeches, but through the powerful symbols and examples of embracing a badly deformed man, welcoming refugees… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/pope-francis-has-done-this-not-through-angry-speeches-but-through-the/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [We have perhaps all said things in unguarded moments that we would not want printed in newspapers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/we-have-perhaps-all-said-things-in-unguarded-moments-that-we-would/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [I live near Amish communities in northern Indiana and I have the greatest respect for such faithful people. They attempt to live their faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/i-live-near-amish-communities-in-northern-indiana-and-i-have-the/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [I've never met anyone who has changed his mind or deepened his faith because he has been confronted with such angry condemnations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/i-ve-never-met-anyone-who-has-changed-his-mind-or-deepened-his-faith/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [As Pope Francis says in Amoris laetitia, pastors must "make room for the consciences of the faithful, who very often respond as best they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/as-pope-francis-says-in-amoris-laetitia-pastors-must-make-room-for/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [I've seen many dig in their heels and becoming disenchanted with the church because of these kinds of denunciations from coreligionists. We have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/i-ve-seen-many-dig-in-their-heels-and-becoming-disenchanted-with-the/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [ \[Pope Francis\] has reminded us that the way we live our lives is the most important expression of our Catholic identity. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/pope-francis-has-reminded-us-that-the-way-we-live-our-lives-is-the/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [To the extent that we sow love where there is hate and light where there is darkness, each in his or her own walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/to-the-extent-that-we-sow-love-where-there-is-hate-and-light-where/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [ No doubt the \[presedential\] campaigns have reflected some anxiety, anger, and resentment in the nation at large, and we must try to understand these… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/no-doubt-the-presedential-campaigns-have-reflected-some-anxiety-anger/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

> [I'm reluctant to draw many conclusions from private correspondence leaked without permission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/i-m-reluctant-to-draw-many-conclusions-from-private-correspondence/)

[John I. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

[Explore all 18 John I. Jenkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/)

## More Als quotes

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [You can't ignore reality. You won't wake up one morning and find that the Arabs of Umm al-Faham have become part of Palestine and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ami-ayalon/you-can-t-ignore-reality-you-won-t-wake-up-one-morning-and-find-that/)

[Ami Ayalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ami-ayalon/)

> [Without a vision there is no possibility of creating something larger than what al-ready exists. An entrepreneur has to be able to bring something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/without-a-vision-there-is-no-possibility-of-creating-something-larger/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> ['Constitutional' is just a real pip of a word. Positively rolls off the tongue. In fact, it's downright fun to say. 'Con-stit-too-shun-al.' It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/constitutional-is-just-a-real-pip-of-a-word-positively-rolls-off-the/)

[Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/)

> [Everybody who I ever cared about has told me that they like my music: Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Al Green, The Spinners, Smokey Robinson.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-hall/everybody-who-i-ever-cared-about-has-told-me-that-they-like-my-music/)

[Daryl Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-hall/)

> [Paraphrased: The way of al-Junayd includes among other things abstaining constantly from resisting God Most High in whatever happens to one, whether good or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-ata-allah/paraphrased-the-way-of-al-junayd-includes-among-other-things/)

[Ibn Ata Allah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-ata-allah/)

> [For Al Gore and Paul Ehrlich and Co., whatever the problem, the solution is always the same. Whether it's global cooling, global warming, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/for-al-gore-and-paul-ehrlich-and-co-whatever-the-problem-the-solution/)

[Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/)

> [Barack Obama became president, and he abandoned Iraq. He left, and when he left Al Qaida was done for. ISIS was created because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/barack-obama-became-president-and-he-abandoned-iraq-he-left-and-when/)

[Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/)

> [USC is the National Champion like Al Gore is the President of the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-emmert/usc-is-the-national-champion-like-al-gore-is-the-president-of-the/)

[Mark Emmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-emmert/)

> [Critics have stepped up their attacks on the President for authorizing the National Security Agency to listen to international communications of known al Qaeda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcclellan/critics-have-stepped-up-their-attacks-on-the-president-for/)

[Scott McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcclellan/)

> [ The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection \[from transgression\]. It becomes rusty as a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becomes-sick-and-its-remedy-is-al/)

[Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/)

> [Bin Laden was, though, a product of a monumental miscalculation by western security agencies. Throughout the 80s he was armed by the CIA and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-cook/bin-laden-was-though-a-product-of-a-monumental-miscalculation-by/)

[Robin Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-cook/)

> [ This war \[in Syria\] is going to support Al-Qaeda and the same people that killed Americans in the 11th of September. The second thing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/this-war-in-syria-is-going-to-support-al-qaeda-and-the-same-people/)

[Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/)

> [Courageous? Courageous would have been admitting weakness and leaving Dauntless, no matter what shame accompanied it. Pride is what killed Al, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/courageous-courageous-would-have-been-admitting-weakness-and-leaving/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [And I, the former mystic, was thinking: Yes, man is stronger, greater than God. When Adam and Eve deceived You, You chased them from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/and-i-the-former-mystic-was-thinking-yes-man-is-stronger-greater-than/)

[Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/)

Browse all 894 Als quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it was another reminder of how far we are from the amity between opposing sides that is needed for effective governance.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John I. Jenkins"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was-another-reminder-of-how-far/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Als"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was-another-reminder-of-how-far/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/john-i-jenkins-29667_als_worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was_2403564.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Worst thing about Al Smith dinner : it was another reminder of how far we are from the amity between…” — John I. Jenkins",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John I. Jenkins",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-i-jenkins/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Worst thing about Al Smith dinner...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was-another-reminder-of-how-far/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-i-jenkins/worst-thing-about-al-smith-dinner-it-was-another-reminder-of-how-far/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```